“By the way, what exactly was a ‘Lady Royal?’”
Scottie retreated.Head in the sand.
“Come on, Scottie,” Cap said in his jovial way.“I saw the pictures of you as Lady Royal and, girl, it fit.You looked more like yourself than ever, even with the scandal at the quay.What was that about?”
“Craziness.Mostly, people not wanting another American royal.”
“But you’re half Lauchten, aren’t you?A Blue blood, a member of the royalwe.”
“None of that matters to the citizens of Lauchtenland.For them, it’s about culture and national pride.Under their microscope, I’m not House of Blue material.”Never mind the one-eighty turn of Hamish Fickle, Lord Midlands, campaigning for her to win her princess coronet.“Never mind me.”She gave Cap’s knee a pat.“How.Are.You?”
“I’m good.The farm’s good.We’re going to turn a nice profit this year.Have you saved the date for my wedding?Yesterday Freya and I finalized the deets for our Wedding Chapel wedding the first Sunday in December.She wanted a Christmas wedding when we married the first time, but we had to rush everything for my deployment.”
“I’m happy for you.And yes, your wedding is on my calendar.”
“So…when Taylor Gillingham was walking us around the chapel one last time she might have mentioned you’ve been a bit adrift.”
“Did she, now?Wait until I see her.”Taylor was a friend from high school, owner of the Wedding Chapel and married to Jack, VP of Marketing for O’Shay—no, no, make that Boston Brothers.
“She’s worried about you, Scottie.We all are.”
“Please.I’m fine.I promise.”
Dad’s high school best friend, Andy, danced past the table with his wife.“Finally, a bride for Trent, Scottie.We’re so happy for him.Aren’t you happy for him?”
“Good to see you, Andy.Delaney, I love your dress.”
Then it was back to Cap, who seemed stuck on Scottie’s well-being.“What are you going to do now the business has been sold?”
“I don’t know…maybe buy an island in the Caribbean and surround myself with cabana boys.”
“Very funny.So not you.”
“What do you want me to say, Cap?That I’m crushed?Lost?Struggling through sleepless nights or how nothing makes sense even when I try to concentrate on what’s next?My grasp was so firm on the golden ring and now—”
“Scottie.”He leaned toward her.“For the first time in your whole thirty-eight years, you’re free.You’re not heir to O’Shay.You have no family or corporate obligations.You can go anywhere you want.Do whatever you want.Go, be a princess.”He shot her one of his I-dare-you looks.“I’d like to see it.While you’re there, Princess, find a prince.Fall in love.Use all of your amazing skill and training to help people like that chick, the local designer.You carried one of her bags, right?”
“Now how do you know that, Cap Henderson?Fashion was never your thing, as I recall.”
“Hey now, I’ve dressed for a few military balls.You went with me once.But Freya told me about the bag and how the designer was scrambling to fulfill orders.”
“Yeah, I’m happy for Eloise.But Cap, you make it sound like I can just choose a life in Lauchtenland.It’s not so simple.I can’t hop on a plane to Port Fressa, knock on Perrigwynn Palace’s front door and say, ‘I’m back, make me a princess.’”
“Why not?”
“Besides, I can’t go back.”The confession she’d been pushing aside welled up.“I think the entire trip over was a mistake.I allowed myself to get wowed by the glitz and glamour, the handsome equerry and protection officer, and the Lauchtenland lore of love.I thought I could be a permanent member of the Family.While all that was going on, O’Shay was being stolen.”
Cap slipped his hand into hers.“Maybe that’s the point, Scottie.While you were discovering this whole other side of your heritage, O’Shay ended, clearing a new path for you.”Pushing back from the table, Cap said his final words.“One more thing before I go.If the acquisition fell through right now and Trent came rushing over to tell you O’Shay Shirts was yours once again, how would you really feel?Would you suddenly be at peace?Settled?Seeing the future like you used to?”Cap leaned forward to kiss her temple.“I don’t think so.”
Soft electric guitar notes rose from the bandstand.Cap shifted his attention across the room, instantly finding Freya as the mellow voice of the male vocalist harmonized with the guitar, singing about a dream where he’d lost his one true love.
“This is our song.‘Die with a Smile.’Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.”He started to go but took a step back.“You okay?”
“Yes, you goober.Go dance with her.”Scottie waved him off.“And thanks for the pep talk.I mean it.”She waved to lovely Freya, who swooned into Cap’s arms.Scottie never swooned in Cap’s arms.But there were a pair of arms she could feel around her if she closed her eyes.Firm.Strong.Muscled.Protective.“Hey love,”Michael’s phantom voice whispered past her ear.“I won’t let you go.”
But he did let her go, didn’t he?Because she was so determined to do it her way.
“Can I have this next dance?”Fritz stood on the other side of the table, hand extended as the singers sang out the last melodies of “Die with a Smile.”
